Danube Bike Tour Day 32: Komarom to Esztergom
Posted by Cassie, December 8th, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Distance: 56km
Originally, we were planning to continue on the Hungarian side of the Danube and go through Tata on the way to Esztergom. However, after reviewing the bike route, we would have to ride along busy roads for most of the way. We checked out the bike route on the Slovakian side of the Danube, and the ride seemed much more pleasant with more of the route along bike paths and quieter roads. As we were about to cross the Danube to the Slovakian side, we saw an enormous store that looked like a Super Wal-Mart. We stopped to check it out, and it was huge and just like a Super Wal-Mart! We were surprised to such a large store since the other stores we had seen were much smaller, so we thought Europe had escaped from big Wal-Marts shutting down small shops. But, apparently, there were Super Wal-Marts in Europe, too.
Tesco, the Super Wal-Mart of Europe
As we crossed the Danube to enter Komarno, Slovakia, there was another border checkpoint that was no longer in use. However, this border checkpoint was not vandalized like the other border checkpoint we passed. There was a money changing station still open at the border checkpoint, but it will no longer have any function once Hungary switches to the euro. We were impressed how prosperous Komarno was. Slovakia’s economy is transforming the fastest in the EU, and it seemed to us that in several years it will look like the other countries in Western Europe.
Europa Square in Komarno, Slovakia
We enjoyed the bike ride today. Most of the ride was on a gravel bike path along a dike by the river. We had to ride along busy roads for a few short stretches, but it wasn’t too bad. As we were riding, we passed these wonderful artistic creations made out of hay bales. For one of them, they used hay bales to create a witch with a broomstick made out of a cornstalk.
We reached Sturovo, Slovakia and crossed the Danube River to get to Esztergom, Hungary. The Maria Valeria bridge we crossed over the Danube was blown up by retreating German troops in WWII on December 26, 1944. However, due poor relations between Czechoslovakia and Hungary after WWII, the bridge was not reconstructed for over 50 years, and the bridge was not reopened until 2001. Esztergom was known for its basilica as it was the Roman Catholic church’s capital in Hungary. There is great view of the basilica form the Maria Valeria bridge.
Esztergom Basilica
We tried to stay at the campground in Esztergom, but it was closed for the season. After a couple tries, we found a pension for the night. The room was really nice, and they had a computer where we could use the Internet for free!
Now that we had reached Esztergom, we were only 70-75km from Budapest! When we first started on our bike tour, Budapest seemed so far away, so it was amazing that we were so close to reaching our final destination.
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